There is not any writer who describes in so lively a
manner as Herodotus, the true genius of Polytheism. The best
commentary may be found in Mr. Hume's Natural History of
Religion; and the best contrast in Bossuet's Universal
History. Some obscure traces of an intolerant spirit appear
in the conduct of the Egyptians (Juvenal, Sat. xv.); and the
Christians as well as Jews, who lived under the Roman
empire, formed a very important exception: so important,
indeed, that the discussion will require a distinct chapter
of this work.